The 2022 World Cup is arguably Lionel Messi‘s best of the five he has contested so far, as he feels comfortable on and off the pitch.
Messi‘s ambition is clear, as he wants to win the World Cup. For months he has meticulously prepared, knowing full well that he had to hit peak form during the months of November and December. Based on his displays so far, you would have to say he has succeeded.
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Right now, Messi stands on the precipice of a unique treble, which would be claiming the World Cup, but also the Golden Boot and the World Cup’s Golden Ball award.
Messi could win another World Cup Golden Ball
FIFA’s Technical Study Group, headed by Arsene Wenger, creates a list of outstanding players at the tournament and then the press vote for the best players on the list.
While we have to wait for the semi-finals and final, Messi will inevitably feature prominently given his contributions so far.
He already won the Golden Ball in 2014, despite losing the final to Germany. Will he repeat the feat now?
The 2022 World Cup top scorers
While what matters to Messi is the overall title with his country, he is also in contention to win the Golden Boot for the top scorer.
France’s Kylian Mbappe currently leads the race with five goals but Messi is only a goal short on four, tied with France’s Olivier Giroud.
Messi is also having his most productive year for Argentina in terms of his goalscoring output. This is his best calendar year in terms of goals for the Albiceleste, with Messi scoring 15 so far in 2022.
Other records for Messi
The Argentine also has three Player of the Match awards so far – against Mexico, Poland, and the Netherlands.
The forward gave up one other against Australia, to his teammate Alexis Mac Allister, with Messi now having 10 Player of the Match awards at World Cups in total.
His long-time nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo is next on the list with seven.
Messi‘s other records include equalling Gabriel Batistuta‘s record as the highest-scoring Argentine in World Cups with 10 and on Tuesday he will equal the all-time record for games played in World Cups, held by Lothar Matthaus with 25 matches.
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